Why “Just Having a Website” Isn’t Enough Anymore: A Guide for Local Business Owners in Fairbanks, Alaska
- Kamron Alexander
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
In today’s fast-paced digital world, just having a website is not enough. Many local business owners in Fairbanks, Alaska, may think their basic website from five years ago is still sufficient. Unfortunately, this outdated approach can harm your business. An effective website should actively attract customers, facilitate appointments, and ultimately boost sales. If your site isn't doing these things, it might be time to take a closer look at its performance.
In this blog post, we will highlight three clear signs that your website could be outdated and provide actionable steps to enhance its effectiveness.
Sign 1: No Mobile Optimization = Lost Customers
Did you know that over 60% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices? If your website isn’t optimized for mobile use, you risk losing potential customers who are looking for quick information on the go. A non-mobile-friendly site often leads to high bounce rates, meaning visitors leave without engaging with your content.
A responsive design adjusts automatically to different screen sizes, offering an optimal viewing experience. For instance, 75% of users admit to judging a company's credibility based on their mobile website. If navigating your site is difficult on a smartphone, visitors are likely to turn to your competitors.
To fix this issue, switch to a website builder that focuses on mobile responsiveness. Utilize testing tools like Google's Mobile-Friendly Test to easily evaluate your website's performance on mobile devices.
Sign 2: It’s Basically an Online Brochure
Once upon a time, websites served merely as digital brochures, offering static information about businesses. Today, an effective website must encourage visitors to take action, whether that's booking an appointment, making a call, or completing a purchase.
Think of your website as your 24/7 sales representative. It should engage visitors and guide them to make decisions confidently. Adding clear calls-to-action (CTAs), intuitive navigation, and interesting content can convert a dull site into an active platform generating results.
For instance, include features that allow for easy engagement, such as:
Interactive contact forms that prompt users to leave their information.
Embedded calendars for booking appointments directly.
Live chat options for immediate customer support.
By adding these elements, you can vastly improve engagement rates and encourage site visitors to become customers.
Sign 3: You Haven’t Touched It in Years
Websites require regular maintenance to remain effective. Broken links, outdated images, and slow load times can negatively impact user experience. If you haven't made updates in years, your website could send a signal to potential customers that you aren’t attentive to your business.
Regularly updating your content can demonstrate your commitment to customer service. For example, businesses with regular website updates experience a 50% increase in visitor trust.
Create a routine maintenance schedule. Consider:
Monthly checks for broken links.
Updating images to reflect your current offerings.
Revising website text to align with any new services or products.
Final Thoughts
As a local business owner in Fairbanks, recognizing the signs of an outdated website is essential. In a time when online presence significantly influences customer choices, an ineffective or stale website can cost you leads and potential sales. By ensuring your site is mobile-optimized, transforming it from a static brochure into an interactive sales tool, and routinely maintaining its content, you can craft a compelling online presence that attracts and retains customers.
💡 Pro Tip: User-friendly platforms like Wix can simplify the process of updating your website content and optimizing for mobile. Small tweaks—like refining your homepage text, adding new images, or checking contact forms—can lead to noticeable improvements in customer interaction.
Invest in your website today. Your business deserves to succeed in the digital world, and a refreshed, functional website is crucial for achieving that success.
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